Nick Foles believed to have edge over Michael Vick for Eagles starting job

When most of us think about the 2013 Philadelphia Eagles, we think about the exciting possibilities that exist with Michael Vick running Chip Kelly’s offense. Second-year quarterback Nick Foles may have something to say about that by the time training camp comes to a close.

According to CSNPhilly.com Eagles insider Geoff Mosher, Foles has a better chance to earn the starting quarterback job this summer than Vick. Before the NFL Draft, Mosher said he felt Vick was in line to win the job. Now that Philly has drafted Matt Barkley, the landscape has changed.

You could make the argument that drafting Barkley proves Kelly is not necessarily looking for a mobile quarterback to run his offense. Vick and Foles have been splitting all of the reps in practice almost right down the middle, but Vick is much older and more expensive. Even with his restructured deal, the 33-year-old will be owed more than $7 million if he makes the Eagles’ roster.

Foles and Barkley, on the other hand, are signed to much more team-friendly contracts. As Mosher mentioned, new NFL coaches tend to like building their programs around young players as opposed to veterans. Even if Vick and Foles are dead even in their offseason competition, Kelly might lean toward naming Foles the starter, keeping Barkley as the backup and releasing Vick.

If Kelly feels he can do as much with Foles as he can with Vick, Philadelphia’s salary cap situation gain a lot of flexibility.